Gilroy Handed Ulster Start

19 November 2010 15:59pm

By Editor

Craig Gilroy made history during the summer by becoming the first player to score a try at the Aviva Stadium. He did so in the Leinster/Ulster side's O2 Challenge match win over the Connacht/Munster selection

Talented young winger Craig Gilroy has been parachuted into the Ulster team for Sunday's Magners League meeting with the Cardiff Blues at Cardiff City Stadium (kick-off 3.45pm).

Craig Gilroy has been in try-scoring form for Dungannon in the All-Ireland League this season, and has also featured regularly for Ulster Ravens in the past year.

Ulster head coach Brian McLaughlin has now handed the 19-year-old from Bangor a chance to show his wares at senior level, selecting him on the right wing for this weekend's Magners League trip to Cardiff.

The Ulster back-line has been bolstered by the return of Scotland winger Simon Danielli from a shoulder injury, while Paul Marshall comes in at scrum half to replace Ruan Pienaar who is on duty with South Africa.

Pienaar's fellow Springbok, BJ Botha, has recovered sufficiently from a wrist injury to take his place in the front row.

Ireland international Dan Tuohy joins stand-in captain Johann Muller in the second row, and Willie Faloon makes way in the back row for another of the province's international contingent, Chris Henry.

In all, McLaughlin has made six personnel changes to the side that started the 16-6 derby defeat to Munster at Ravenhill last time out.

Having missed out on selection for this weekend's Ireland v New Zealand Test, Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble will add to Ulster's options on the bench.

Among those not available are the international-tied Pienaar, Tom Court, Rory Best and Stephen Ferris, along with the injured Darren Cave,Adam Macklin and Declan Fitzpatrick.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.